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Guilty by Definition

The instant Sunday Times bestselling linguistic mystery to gift this Father's Day from Britain's wordsmith, Susie Dent

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Guilty by Definition

By: Susie Dent
Narrated by: Jack Edwards, Louise Brealey, Susie Dent
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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This audiobook features an exclusive introduction from Susie Dent, and an exclusive Q&A between Susie and Youtube's Jack Edwards.

When an anonymous letter is delivered to the Clarendon English Dictionary, it is rapidly clear that this is not the usual lexicographical enquiry. Instead, the letter hints at secrets and lies linked to a particular year.

For Martha Thornhill, the new senior editor, the date can mean only one thing: the summer her brilliant older sister Charlie went missing.

After a decade abroad, Martha has returned home to the city whose ancient institutions have long defined her family. Have the ghosts she left behind her been waiting for her return?

When more letters arrive, and Martha and her team pull apart the complex clues within them, the mystery becomes ever more insistent and troubling. It seems Charlie had been keeping a powerful secret, and someone is trying to lead the lexicographers towards the truth. But other forces are no less desperate to keep it well and truly buried. Amateur Sleuths Crime Fiction Mystery Women Sleuths Exciting Suspenseful
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I loved this, it’s so different. It had me hooked from the first chapter. I loved the Shakespeare quotes and references. The mystery kept me guessing all the way through. 5stars

Excellent combination of a page turning mystery and a fascinating history of words and their meanings.

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Thoroughly enjoyable story with a great cast of characters who I would definitely want to see again, hopefully in future novels. It is peppered throughout with wonderful etymological gems from Susie which I really enjoyed. The performance did feel a little stiff in places especially with the dialogue but overall was ok..

Excellent debut novel

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I really enjoyed this book. The principal story around which the main characters dance is unsettling by its believability and normality. The mystery is beautifully layered. The characters and visualisation of places is strong. lots of celebrities seem to get fictional book deals in recent times some like Richard Osmand, Bob Mortimer well deserved others not so. I had high hopes for this and Susy definitely belongs in the deserving group. looking forward to a sequel or at least her next foray into fiction.

Delightful characters, wordplay and a mystery

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As an audio, very occasionally l had to rewind as parts needed more concentration but this did not affect my enjoyment of the overall book.

The language and format, giving the listener an insight into the world of the dictionary

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I quite enjoyed the book once I got into it - it was a bit hard going at times but all in all a good book

Characters we interesting

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